Richmond couldn’t have been at a decrease ebb when Damien Hardwick took over as coach earlier than the 2010 season.
It had been three lengthy many years for the reason that as soon as mighty Tigers had tasted the last word success.
And for many of these 30 years, Richmond had been the AFL’s equal to the punch-line of a foul joke.
No-one anticipated a fast turnaround in fortunes, even below the stewardship of a person who had loved the last word success as a participant at Essendon (2000) and Port Adelaide (2004) and as an assistant coach at Hawthorn below his nice mate Alastair Clarkson (2008).
Just 9 video games into Hardwick’s tenure and the enormity of the duty had been laid naked – the membership once more sat in final spot on the ladder with an 0-9 win-loss file and a depressing proportion of 56.2.
They had been unkindly labelled “the worst team since Fitzroy” in reference to the sorry Lions outfit that went 1-21 of their final season within the competitors in 1996.
Hardwick lastly masterminded his first win towards the chances away to Port Adelaide on a moist day at Football Park in spherical 10, 2010.
It could not have been clear then however the renaissance was underway eventually with an inventory that included loads of deadwood but in addition had Trent Cotchin, Dustin Martin, Jack Riewoldt and Shane Edwards, all of whom would go on to turn out to be triple premiership heroes.
The Tigers lastly ended a 12-year finals drought below Hardwick in 2013 – however it was to be the primary of three straight elimination closing defeats.
When the membership plummeted to thirteenth spot in 2016 there have been lots at Punt Road calling for the coach’s head.
In years passed by, when the unofficial catch-cry of “Eat ‘Em’ Alive” too typically translated to “eat their own”, it might nicely have turn out to be a self-fulfilling prophecy.
But president Peggy O’Neal, CEO Brendon Gale and prodigal son Neil Balme – lastly lured again as footy boss – caught fats with the coach.
It was an impressed choice.
Twelve months later the Tigers had been celebrating their eleventh premiership, with the upset 48-point win over Adelaide ending a 37-year drought.
Further flags had been received in 2019 towards GWS and in 2020 towards Geelong, with a trademark methodology of frenetic ball motion now favoured by groups such because the 2023 premiership favourites Collingwood.
For Hardwick, the 2020 victory was one of the best of all, coming on the unlikely venue of the Gabba in a season dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The coach had initially railed towards the restrictions imposed on the golf equipment – and society as an entire.
“They’re all different, (but) this one I think this one is extra significant,” he mentioned after the Dustin Martin-inspired win over the Cats.
“What we had to go through to get here, the 100-odd days in a hub, how hard the AFL, Queensland Government, the people in Victoria did it … it’s just an enormous achievement.”
The Tigers missed the finals in 2021 and had been rolled by Brisbane in an nailbiting elimination closing in 2022.
With the golden era of Cotchin, Riewoldt, Martin and Co nearing the top of the street, the membership loaded up for what they figured can be one other flag tilt in 2023, prising midfield bulls Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper out of GWS at the price of a slew of draft picks,.
Taranto has been among the many Tigers’ finest in 2023, however with key gamers reminiscent of Tom Lynch and Toby Nankervis cruelled by damage, they’d slumped to 14th spot on the ladder by the conclusion of spherical 10.
Never thoughts the pursuit of a 14th flag – even making the 2023 finals would now be an extended shot.
Hardwick is predicted to element the explanations for his shock departure on Tuesday.
It’s not arduous to think about that the phrase “burnout” will get an airing.
But his legacy as a legend of the Richmond Football Club is assured.
He has coached the membership a file 307 instances and his three flags place him behind solely the fabled Tom Hafey, who masterminded the 1967, 1969, 1973 and 1974 premierships.
It can be one robust act to observe.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
